in spite of / despite / although

In spite of, despite and although are all used to show a contrast but there are differences
in the structures used with them.

In spite of / despite
After in spite of and despite we use a noun or a pronoun.
 We enjoyed our camping holiday in spite of the rain.
 Despite the pain in his leg he completed the marathon.
 Despite having all the necessary qualifications, they didn’t offer me the job.
Remember that the gerund (‘-ing’ form) is the ‘noun’ form of a verb.

Although
After although we use a subject and a verb.
 We enjoyed our camping holiday although it rained every day.
 Although he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
 The holiday was great although the hotel wasn’t very nice.
We can use in spite of and despite with a subject and verb if we include the expression
‘the fact that’.
 In spite of the fact that he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.
 Despite the fact that he worked very hard, he didn’t manage to pass the exam.

Even though
Even though is a slightly stronger form of although.
 We decided to buy the house even though we didn’t really have enough money.
 You keep making that stupid noise even though I’ve asked you to stop three times.
Like although, even though is followed by a subject and a verb.

Complete the following sentences.

1. We went out ………………………….. the rain.
a) in spite of       b) however c) although
2. We went out …………………………. it rained.
a) despite            b) although         c) however
3. She went on working ……………………….. she was tired.
a) although         b) despite           c) either could be used here
4. She went on working ………………………….. the fact that she was tired.
a) despite            b) however        c) although
5. …………………….. she is a nice girl, I don’t quite like her.
a) although         b) despite           c) however
6. ………………………. expensive, it was a good watch.
a) however         b) although         c) despite
7. I didn’t like the film. …………………………., everybody else seemed to enjoy it.
a) however         b) despite           c) either could be used here
8. ………………………. I didn’t like the film, everybody else seemed to enjoy it.
a) although         b) however        c) either could be used here
9. We managed to do it …………………………….. he wasn’t there.
a) however         b) although         c) either could be used here
10. We managed to do it, ………………………….. the fact that he was not there.
a) although         b) despite           c) however

Exercise 2
REWRITE THESE SENTENCES.
1. Dave smokes. He seems to be in good health ( although)
2. I couldn’t sleep. I was tired. (despite)
3. Max didn’t notice the sign. It was right in front of him ( even though)
4. Kate never learnt Spanish. She lived in Spain for many years (although)
5. Joe is a millionaire .He hates spending money. ( despite)
6. I couldn’t sleep although I was tired. ( despite)
7. Although he has got an English name, he is in fact German. (despite)
8. In spite of her injured foot, she managed to walk to the village( although)
9. I decided to accept the job although the salary was low. ( in spite of)
10. We lost the match although we were the better team.( despite)
11. In spite of not having eaten for 24 hours, I didn’t feel hungry. (even though)
12. Although she was tired, she went to work ( but)
13. They went out for a walk, even though the weather was bad. ( despite)
14. She managed to write in spite of her injured hand ( although)
15. She has plenty of money, but she is very mean ( although)